Seat and back cushion frame



July 29, 1941. c. FREEMAN 2,251,043

SEAT AND BACK CUSHION FRAME Filed May 21, 1938 INVENTOR BY Jewell J. 771. 21.7422.

9' A TTORNE Y5.

Patented July 29, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEAT AND BACK CUSHION FRAME Lowell C. Freeman,- Detroit, Mich, assignor to The Murray Corporation of America, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application May 21, 1938, Serlal No. 209,213

5 Claims. (Cl. 155-179) This invention relates to seat and back cushion constructions, and particularly relates to such constructions which are used in automobiles.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a spring construction in which the springs forming the load supporting surface overhang one edge of the frame and are so arranged that a soft spring edge is thereby obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring construction having greater depth at one edge of the frame than the opposite edge thereof, so constructed that a spring overhang is obtained over the deep edge, thereby providing a soft spring edge along the deep edge.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved manner of mounting elongated spring elements on a base frame whereby a soft front edge is obtained.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the drawing relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

Inthe drawing in which like numerals are used to designate like parts in the several views throughout:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view,

looking upwardly toward the bottom, of a cushion construction embodying features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is particularly adapted for seat cushion constructions, but certain aspects of the present invention have general utility and are adapted for uses in other cushion constructions, such as seat backs.

Referring to Fig. 1, a seat cushion construction is illustrated which includes a rigid bottom frame member ID made of wood, or other suitable material, which is generally rectangular in shape. The frame I0 has a rear edge l2 and an oppositely disposed longitudinally extending forward edge [4 which is preferably cut away at the corners as indicated at l5 so as to provide for rounding the corners of the cushion. The front and rear members of the frame ID are connected by rigid end members so that a rigid frame structure is provided.

An upstanding longitudinally extending spring mounting member l8, also preferably of wood, is disposed along the rear edge of the frame for the full length of the frame. Another longitudinally extending spring supporting member 20 is disposed along the front of the frame and is fixed thereto throughout the length of the frame. A forwardly projecting spring mounting member 22, also preferably of wood, is fixed to the top edge of the member 20 and extends to a position such that the front edge of the member 22 is substantially flush with the front edge It. The member 22 is also cut away at the corners as indicated at 24 to provide for the rounded corners of the cushion construction.

The load supporting or spring surface of the cushion construction is disposed in an arcuate plane spaced from the base frame In and is constructed from a plurality of elongated spring elements 26 of the type disclosed in the Kaden Patent No. 2,002,399, issued May 21, 1935. Spring elements of this'type are formed by sinuously bending a suitable spring wire and curving the sinuous wire longitudinally of its length to provide a set therein on an arc materially less than the arc it assumes when employed in a seat. The ends of the elements are spread and secured in arced position to have the portion between the ends provided with a tension to resist downward displacement. The spring elements are mounted in spaced relation to each other between the rear and front edges of the frame to obtain a I soft front edge and. .to obtain a cushion construction which is deeper adjacent the front edge, as will be more fully described.

The spring elements 26 are connected to the supporting member 18 by means of retaining clips 28 which may be in the form of a metal plate bent upon itself to provide a substantially cylindrical opening 30 therethrough. The clips 28 may be secured to the member l8 by suitable means such as screws, or the like. The cylindrical opening 30 is adapted to receive therein the last lateral convolution of the rear end of each of the spring elements 26; and the end is adapted to project slightly beyond the opening 30 so that it may be bent upwardly as indicated at 32 to prevent displacement of the spring from the clip 28 and to permit pivotal movement therebetween.

The spring elements 26 are of such length that they extend above and beyond the forward edge of the frame member I0 and also the forward edge of the projecting spring mounting member 22 so that the forward ends of the spring elee ments may be bent upon themselves and positioned under the member 22.

The forward ends of the spring elements 26 are secured to the under surface of the member 22 by means of clips 34 which are similar in construction to the clip 28 above described. The last lateral convolution of each spring 26 adjacent the front thereof is adapted to be received through the cylindrical opening in the clip 34; and the projecting end- 36 of the forward end is bent upwardly so that the spring may not become displaced from the clip and so that a pivotal mounting between the clip and the spring is obtained.

When the spring elements are so mounted it is evident that portions of the spring elements intermediate theirends project forwardly of the forward edge of the cushion construction, overhanging the forward edge so that a soft front edge is obtained. Also, the are formed by the spring elements 26 is deepest adjacent the'front of the spring so that a cushion construction which is deeper at the front than at the rear is also obtained.

The spring elements bear against the forward edge of the member 22 and also against the under surface thereof; and, in order to prevent squeaks or other noises occasioned by the contact between the spring elements and the supporting member 22, padding means 38, which may be a rubber or fabric material, is tacked along the forward edge of the member 22 so as to serve as a cushion between the spring elements and the member 22 itself. The-padding 38 may be suitably tacked or otherwise secured to the member 22.

Wire clips 40 may be utilized to connect adjacent springs 26 at suitable points therealong so as to provide unity of action between the spring elements when a load is applied thereto.

In Fig. 2 a modified form of the present invention is illustrated in which the base frame generally indicated at 44 is formed of a plurality of wire elements of suitable gauge which are welded together to provide a rigid frame. The base frame 44 is of the same general shape as the frame l above described; and includes a U- shaped element 46, preferably inset at the corners at 48, which forms the rear edge and sides of the base frame. A longitudinally extending frame member 50, which is inset at the corners as indicated at 52, provides the front edge of the base frame and is welded to the forward ends of the U-shaped member 46 to provide the base frame outline.

In order to mount the sinuous spring elements 26 to the base frame along the rear edge thereof, upstanding wire elements 54 are welded to the frame element 46 and extend upwardly therebeyond. The tops 56 of the elements 54 are bent into aligned loops, and the last lateral convolution of the spring elements 26 is adapted to be received through the loops 56 of two adjacent the frame element 46 is disposed above the rear edge of the element 46 and is welded to the upstanding frame element 64. The rear ends of the elements 60 are welded to the element 64 to provide a rigid frame structure adjacent the rear thereof.

In order to provide for the mounting of the front ends of the spring elements 26 to give the soft front edge of the present invention, U-shaped elements generally indicated at ID are disposed along the front edge of the base frame in spaced relation to each other, The U-shaped elements have upstanding leg portions 12, the lower ends of which are welded to the frame element 56. I

The member 10 is then bent forwardly over the frame element 58 and is preferably welded thereto at the bend. The forwardly projecting portion of the U-shaped element 10 is then bent to provide aligned loops 14 at such a position that the loops are intermediate the base of the element Ill and the point at which the element is bent over the frame element 58. The forwardly projecting portion of each element 16 preferably lies in a plane substantially at right angles to the front face of the frame and extends forwardly therebeyond.

The forward ends of the spring elements 26 are reversely bent to positions under the forwardly projecting spring supporting portions of the element 10. The last lateral convolution of each spring element 26 is adapted to be received within the aligned loops I4, and the projecting end of such last lateral convolution is adapted to be bent as indicated at 80 so as to prevent displacement of the spring element which is pivotally received within the loops. I

Each spring element is adapted to bear against the under surface of the forwardly projecting elements 54 so as to fix the spring 26 to the rear of the base frame and pivotally mount the springs relative thereto.

Another wire frame element 58, which is similar in shape to the element 50, is disposed adjacent the front edge of the frame in upwardly spaced relation thereto and is held in place by transversely extending bracing members which have the intermediate portions thereof superimposed on and welded to other transversely extending bracing elements 62 and to the ends of the element 46. The transversely extending bracing elements 62 are suitably spaced along the length of the base frame and are welded to the rear and front edge elements thereof. The bracing elements 60 are bent upwardly at the rear and front thereof; and the front ends thereof are welded to the front element 58.

A longitudinally extending frame element 64 of substantially the same shape as the rear edge of portions of the element I0; and the resulting structure provides a soft spring edge along the front of the cushion and also provides a cushion construction which is deeper adjacent the front edge than the rear.

While it has been found that cushioning means such as that shown at 38 in the embodiment above described is not necessary with the structure shown in Fig. 2, such cushioning means may be provided if desired. Y

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described without departing from the spirit and substance of the invention the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A cushion construction comprising a base frame having front and rear edges, support means above said frame along the front thereof, said support means having forwardly extending spring mounting means thereon, elongated zigzag spring elements extending between said front and rear edges having the rear ends of said spring elements mounted at the rear of the frame, the front ends of said spring elements projecting over said mounting means and being reversely bent to positions under said mounting means, means connecting said front ends under said mounting means, and said spring elements bearing against forward edges of said mounting means, thereby providing a soft spring front edge.

2. A spring cushion construction comprising a base frame having front and rear edges, support means above said frame along the front thereof, said support means having forwardly extending spring mounting means thereon, elongated zigzag spring elements extending between said front and rear edges having the rear ends of said springelements mounted to the rear of the frame, the front ends of saidspring elements projecting over said mounting means and being reversely bent to positions under said mounting means, means connecting said front ends under said mounting means, said spring elements bearing against the forward edges of said mounting means, and cushioning means disposed between said last named forward edges and said spring elements, the cushion construction thereby providing a soft spring front edge.

3. A cushion construction comprising a base frame having a lateral projection, spring elements disposed on an arc of substantially 180 about said projection having their ends hinged to said frame inwardly of and beneath said. projection, and tension in said springs causing them to bear upwardly against said projection.

4. A cushion construction comprising a base frame having spaced edge portions, spring elements disposed between said edge portions and having their ends hinged thereto, at least one of said portions having an outwardly disposed projection about which said spring elements are drawn in an arc of substantially 180 to thereby provide a soft spring edge therealong.

5. A cushion construction comprising a base frame having spaced edge portions, spring elements disposed between said edge portions and having their ends attached thereto, at least one of said portions having a projection disposed outwardly of said portion, and tension in said springs which causes a portion outwardly from the attached end to bear upwardly against said projection to provide a soft spring edge therealong.

LOWELL C. FREEMAN. 

